Jun 22 The Father's Love

He knows your name. He has a plan and a purpose for your life. He hears your cries.

The following comes from my journal after Bible study, self-examination, and reading my evening devotional:

But He knows where I am going. And when He has tested me like gold in a fire, He will pronounce me innocent. Job 23:10

I want to be pronounced innocent. Perhaps, if I were, I could be married. But then, why do I feel that I am not? Why do I continue to allow my past to creep in and consume my thoughts about the present? I think, in some small part of me, that I am not worthy of anyone’s love. I think this because, why would I still be single if I was worthy? Those are horrible thoughts to live by. I remember a promise He gave me. I continually remind myself of his promise that I will hold a child I have birthed in my arms. Maybe I was just delusional? A wanton thought or an imagined answer to what I was crying out for? The Good Lord sure does take His sweet ol’ time… (sigh) Sometimes I feel like I’m doing this all alone. How appropriate I found the title of my evening devotional: KNOWING OUR NEEDS - AND MEETING THEM, along with the verse for the day: The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and He took one of the man’s ribs. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib. Genesis 2:18, 21-22

God, You never cease to amaze me with Your answers. Every time I question, You are there. I thank You for that. I NEED You for that. You are beautiful and You are kind and You are sweet. Blessed be Your name.

I share this for those who, too, have been waiting for God to answer a prayer. And maybe, like me, you’ve been waiting well over a decade. As He reminded me, I will remind you: He hears. Engage in the holy habits—keep asking, keep knocking, and keep seeking. He knows your heart’s desire.

Kelly Jo Barr is an adventure loving Jesus Freak. She has been doing Youth Ministry for the past 15 years and has a passion to see teens come in contact with the saving grace of Jesus and to guide them into a closer relationship with our Father. Kelly graduated in 2005 from Fairmont State University with a BS in Psychology and became a Certified Minister in 2011 and has been working as the Youth Pastor at Jakes Run Assembly of God for the past four years. She is looking forward to working with youth for many more years and will be completing her Licensure in the fall of 2016.

Kelly Jo Barr is an adventure loving Jesus Freak. She has been doing Youth Ministry for the past 15 years and has a passion to see teens come in contact with the saving grace of Jesus and to guide them into a closer relationship with our Father. Kelly graduated in 2005 from Fairmont State University with a BS in Psychology and became a Certified Minister in 2011 and has been working as the Youth Pastor at Jakes Run Assembly of God for the past four years. She is looking forward to working with youth for many more years and will be completing her Licensure in the fall of 2016.